Regattas cannot happen without race committees. Our gratitude to Trista, Captain of the S/V Pirate Girl for contributing her smart vessel as signal boat. Skip Ryan our PRO. Jed, Nicky, Colin, Dawn, Susie, Louise on signal boat (and if I am missing others, please forgive me and thanks as well). Our mark boat was operated by Jeff Linton, Amy, Taylor (any other again, thanks and please forgive me for not naming you). We launched from Davis Island YC, sponsor of the SunCoast-DIYC Laser Fleet. Much gratitude goes to the club, staff and board. We enjoyed the facilities, the cash bar, the air conditioned room upstairs and the assistance of a fine staff. Thanks as well to Pat Green for the use of several marks and flags for our course.

On to the regatta report. 9 sailors came to our Laser Masters regatta. We enjoyed (endured) 5 races. The first two were on the drifter side of the scale with the wind trying to pick up by the end of the second race. The winds were trying to establish from the West but kept moving around taxing the race committee and forcing them to abandon the second race in mid flight to the first windward mark because of a massive shift on our way to the first mark. Luckily, our signal boat and mark boat were on their “A” game as they used flags and facilities to move marks around, signal “change course” as we rounded leeward mark and even flying a “green” flag to let us know that the new windward mark was to the right…good to have such knowledgeable volunteers. The signal boat carried plenty of water bottles to dispense to the racers between races. A much needed amenity as it was a hot day and sailors needed to be well hydrated to prevent heat stroke. It seems that a good time was had by all! The day was lovely and the stormy weather had the decency of letting us finish race 5 before blowing us off the race course and back to the safety of DIYC’s basin. With an entry fee of ten dollars, 5 races in 3 hours, fantastic trophies for the sailors, high quality race committee actions and an air conditioned bar to enjoy the camaraderie and the cold drinks, I consider our Laser Master Regatta at Davis Island YC a success.Of the 5 races, our local rock star Buzzy Heausler managed to win the first 4!! Regardless of the conditions, the cream rises to the top. Way at the top as well was Jeff Duval and John Paulson. The rest of the fleet accounted for a couple of new faces which we welcome to the Laser scene. Fred Myers, Dean, Chris Jones and visiting from Apollo Beach Bill Cullen. Also in attendance Kevin Ratinga from Orlando!!

Given that this was a Masters event, the master’s handicap system was in place for the scoring of results. Our Grand Master group was 1- Buzzy 2- Kevin Ratinga 3- Bill Cullen. Our Apprentice Master group was 1- Jeff Duval 2- John Paulson 3- Dean Carbahal 4- Fred Myers. Our Master group was 1- Chris Jones 2- Antolin Rivera. Our overall winner was Buzzy Heausler. One more throphy was awarded to the mid fleeter and it went to Chris Jones. Results 1 through 9 went as follows. 1 Buzzy, 2 Jeff Duval, 3 John Paulson, 4 Dean Carbahal, 5 Chris Jones, 6 Antolin Rivera, 7 Fred Myers, 8 Kevin Ratinga, 9 Bill Cullen.